15 Foods That Are Known To Prevent Cancer

Cheryl Brite April 20th 2016 Health

We all think about the foods that are unhealthy for us and try to avoid them but how often do we think about foods that prevent cancer? Not that often, right? Well start thinking about these foods because they may just save your life one day. Do some research. Become aware of what’s really good for your body and include these foods in your diet today. You won't be sorry!

1. Asparagus

You may be hesitant at first in eating this vegetable but what it will do for you is surprising. This healthy vegetable is not only good for your skin, but it protects cells from oxidation. It is rich in glutathione and is great in fighting skin cancer. Now you're thinking about giving asparagus a try. So buy asparagus by the pound, store it in your fridge, and take it out to eat when you’re ready to get serious about your life. You won’t regret this decision.

In 2010 it was discovered by The Journal of the American Medical Association that this vegetable helps with lung cancer. The vitamin B6 along with folate and methionine decrease your chances of lung cancer by 2/3. In 2009 Chinese researchers found that the compound Asparanin A in asparagus prevents the growth of liver cancer cells as well as cause death to the cells. Its anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties protect you from unwanted diseases. Asparagus also offers you ingredients high in vitamin C and beta-carotene that helps prevent cancer. It's healthy and can protect you from cancer, and this combination can only be a positive thing.

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2. Kale

It's not exactly your favorite vegetable but what it can do for you will make you take a second look. Oh great another vegetable but don’t write Kale out just yet. This super food prevents skin cancer. Now you're hooked in. Its nutrients, including vitamin C and beta-carotene will become your superhero when it comes to cancer. It may not look like much, but its superpower will save your life.

It has a higher rate of cancer prevention then a lot of other vegetables. Carotenoids and flavonoids are just one component of Kale that can protect you from cancer. They are antioxidants that allows the body to get rid of the build up of "oxidative stress" and the flavonoid has anti-inflammatory properties that assist the body in preventing cancer. Glucosinolates-Sulforaphane is another component that prevents the growth of more cancer cells and destroy these cells in a process called apoptosis. When you chop and ingest kale, it does something within the liver that causes your body to develop Phase II enzymes that takes away certain cancer material in your body. The Diindolylmethane -Indole 3-carbinol exists in kale to help with the balance of good and balance of the estrogen in women to prevent breast cancer and cervical cancer.

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3. Salmon

Astaxanthin and omega-3 fats are ingredients within the salmon that will prevent skin cancer. These fatty acids protect your skin from UV damage. Wild salmon is the best choice to consume but don’t have too much of this fish because too much of anything is unhealthy so limit your consumption to twice a week. So don’t push salmon away from your diet. Embrace what this food has to offer in your life. You won't be sorry!

Salmon protects you against colorectal cancer by destroying the polyps, and the growths of tissue in the colon before they ever start to show up. The omega-3 fats in salmon decrease the inflammation in the breast, preventing breast cancer. The antioxidants in salmon fight off the free radicals in your body that can create cancerous cells. Salmon's calcium and vitamin D protects you from getting colon, breast, and prostate cancers. Salmon not only has all these components to help cancer disappear, but it makes a delicious meal. Try it today!

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4. Horseradish

It’s a tasty topping that can go on anything, including your sandwich but what does horseradish really do for you? It kicks cancer’s butt with glucosinolates that increases the liver’s ability to get rid of carcinogens that could cause skin cancer. What a relief? It may even keep at bay the growth of cancerous tumors. Well now you have to have horseradish all the time. You have no more excuses.

It's a cruciferous vegetable that prevents cancers like lung and colorectal cancers. Horseradish has vitamin C as well as antibiotic and antibacterial properties that make this vegetable keep your body healthy and cancer free. Breast cancer can also be prevented by horseradishes in moderation. They contain flavonoids that prevent the growth of cancerous cells. It also reduces the risk of pancreatic, prostate, and stomach cancer cells. Your body will be well taken care of when horseradishes become a part of your diet.

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5. Broccoli

Your kids don’t like it, and you don’t like it. You push the plate as far as it can go because you can't stand the sight and smell of this vegetable. What will it take for you to have broccoli? Well say goodbye to cancer because eating broccoli may very well save you from cancer. This vegetable destroys carcinogenic toxins, decreases DNA mutation, helps prevent tumors, and prevents the spread of cancer. Save the children, they are our future.

It prevents colorectal cancer, but it is not known which specific compounds protect your body from this cancer. It's rich in vitamin C, fiber, calcium, and folate. Broccoli has a substance called Phytochemicals that have anticancer properties. It acts as an antioxidant that increases the detoxifying enzymes in your body. Breast cancer is also prevented by how this vegetable controls the estrogen levels in your body. When you buy it raw, you receive the proper nutrients you need to stay healthy and prevent the risk of getting cancer.

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6. Fish Eggs

You think the color and quality of the fish eggs are the only thing you'll be amazed by. Well you're wrong. This high class looking food will amaze you in what it can do for you. Sure it looks gross but don’t be deceived by the name. Fish eggs help prevent cancer with its omega 3 fatty acids. It may be one of the more expensive foods to buy, but you can’t put a price on your life.

Its vitamin D reduces the risk of cancer. It also contains vitamin A, K2, zinc, and iodine in high amounts so you can maintain your health. Vitamin A and K2 can stop toxicity, overcalcification of soft tissues, bones, heart, and kidneys from happening. Pancreatic cancer can also be prevented by broccoli. It helps prevent the formation of benign tumors into malignant tumors, and it stops the cancer from spreading. You can find fish eggs at fresh markets or high end grocery stores.

7. Cherries

There's more than meets the eye with this fruit. It’s a delicious fruit that you put on your banana split sundae, but it’s not only there to make your sundae look good. Its richness is based on the ingredient of perillyl alcohol, which has been known to effectively destroy cancer cells. Organic cherries are the best choice to shop for because other cherries may contain pesticides and other chemicals that are not good for you. Do some research and find the best places to buy your organic cherries. So get a bag of cherries and eat them on your way home.

Fiber, vitamin C, and potassium are ingredients within the cherry that will do your body some good. Cherries also contain anthocyanins that are antioxidants that keep your body clear of hazardous materials that could cause cancer. Because the cherry contains dietary fiber, it lowers the risk of colorectal cancer. The cherry gives you a sense of fullness, and this is important when it comes to cancer. When your body increases in fat, you're at risk for the seven cancers. Whether you get your cherries sweet or tardy, you can't go wrong in what the components inside the cherry can do for you.

8. Carrots

You’ve eaten this vegetable on occasion, but you don’t have a clue how it impacts your life. Worried about skin cancer? Well carrots are here to save the day. Its beta-carotene high content and protection from UV radiation from the sun make this vegetable essential to your healthy diet. When you buy carrots, you should select dark, organic carrots because regular carrots contain pesticides and other chemicals that aren’t good for you. Be smart when you shop.

Its vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants are not only great for your health, but they prevent cancer. The carotenoids prevent the cancer from ever coming back to your body. When you add carrots to your diet, you not only reduce your risk of cancer but you prevent damage to the healthy cells inside you. The fiber within the carrot protects the big bowel from cancer while the beta-carotene protects you from getting lung cancer. The cells of the lungs and stomach are protected as well by beta-carotene, which strengthens the immune system. It also acts like the components of vitamin C and E by preventing the development of free radicals when normal metabolism is happening in the cells.

9. Turmeric

Have you even heard of this food? It’s a spice that goes well with curries and other types of food. It is not only used in your food, but it is used as a way to prevent your skin from aging. Turmeric has also been used in Asian medicines to cure diseases. This anti-cancer spice induces apoptosis, which destroys cancerous cells in the body. Most importantly, Turmeric doesn’t damage the healthy cells in the process of consuming this spice.

Turmeric can prevent the cells in your body from ever becoming cancerous. It has great effects with breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach, and skin cancer cells. The turmeric is thought to settle itself in the digestive system, absorbing the bowel cells. Make sure you talk to your doctor first before using turmeric. You may be allergic to this spice and not know it. When you cook it, it's safe for you but you need more information from a dietician before you eat it raw.

10. Green Tea

You know that this tea helps with weight loss but what else does this drink do for you? Besides tasting bitter, it gets rid of the harmful chemicals in your body. Its weight loss ingredient also protects cells against DNA damage by free radicals. Its cancer prevention is also an attractive aspect of green tea. Don’t use tea bags but actual green tea leaves to make your tea drinking experience an experience that may just save your life one day. Buy your tea leaves today!

It will prevent or slow down the cancerous cells in your prostate and breast. The American Association for Cancer Research found that the more green tea men drink, the less tissue inflammation was found in their prostate. This diet is especially important for older men to take advantage of. Polyphenon E, an extract in green tea, is another ingredient that prevents breast cancer. The grow factors within the breast tell the breast to grow cancerous cells while the extract reduces the amount of cancerous cells in the body. Choose green tea to be a part of your daily diet.

11. Raspberries

Its delicious, bittersweet taste is what attracts you to this fruit. Well besides the vibrant color. Cancer prevention may be another aspect of raspberries that attract you even more. Ellagic acid is a part of this fruit that fights cancer. Whether you eat them fresh or frozen, raspberries are still fighting the cancer. Make this fruit a part of your daily diet today!

Their vitamin C, selenium, phosphorus, and dietary fiber are nutrients that will keep your body healthy. Antioxidants and phytochemicals are also inside this fruit and help with preventing disease. They stop the cancerous cells from premalignant and malignancy. Liver cancer cells are shown to decrease in number when raspberries are ingested. When you see raspberries that are darker in color, it comes from the flavonoids. Together the compounds work along with fiber as well anti-estrogen properties to stop disease and contribute to better health.

12. Sweet Potatoes

It’s one of the oldest vegetables we know of and the most nutrious. This is a great dish to eat during the holidays but besides its great taste, what else do you think sweet potatoes offer you? It has skin cancer fighting properties, which include beta-carotene. You better start shopping. Don’t just limit your consumption of this vegetable to the holidays. Eat one everyday knowing your lowering the risk of getting cancer.

Sweet Potatoes are theorized by experts to reduce your risk of lung, skin, and prostate cancers when you eat one cup of this vegetable. Lutein and carotenoids are molecules within the potato that starve the cancer cells. It also contains alpha carotene that contributes to a decrease in death by cancer. They are high in vitamin A and C that contribute to bone health and healing. Sweet potatoes contain dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is a steroid that prevents cancer by inhibiting breast cancer and colon cancer from occurring. Make sure your sweet potato has no black spots in it because it could poison you.

13. Avocados

You enjoy this food as a healthy, delicious snack. What else can it do for you? This food has been known to contribute to beautiful as well as healthy skin. Avocados contain vitamin E and C, but that’s not all. Nutrients like glutathione, an antioxidant, reduces the risk of getting cancer. So add this to any food you love and avocados will love you back.

Make avocados a part of your healthy diet because they can prevent cancer. Their nutrients and antioxidants along with exercise can prevent disease. Its monosaturated fats benefit your heart and brain. You will be protected from breast, oral, and colorectal cancer. The avocado stops as well as kills the growth of cancerous cells. What's really great about the avocado is that it focuses on destroying the bad cancer cells while the good ones are not harmed.

14. Shiitake Mushrooms

Cancers and tumors are a thing of the past when you eat these mushrooms. Beta-glucans is a great source of cancer prevention by destroying the cancerous cells. So add shiitake mushrooms to your diet and you will not be sorry. These mushrooms not only taste good, but they can potentially save you from cancer. What do you know? Your love of shiitake mushrooms has finally paid off.

They will boost your immunity with their vitamin D. These mushrooms are well known to increase the activity of the natural killer (NK) cells. The NK cells work to destroy the cancerous and viral cells. Eating these mushrooms can stop tumor cell growth. DNA damage and slowing cancer cell growth are ways that cancer is prevented when consuming mushrooms. Say goodbye to breast, prostate, and colon cancer cells when you make mushrooms a part of your regular diet.

15. Watercress

It's green, it's a vegetable, and that much is obvious. It’s a great edition to any sandwich, but there’s more to watercress than meets the eye. This green food has superpowers. It has the ability to fight cancer because it contains mustard oil. Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and lutein also contribute to the fight against cancer. Whether you buy watercress in a supermarket or grow your own in your garden, you will definitely reap the benefits.

Watercress should be eaten daily because it decreases the DNA damage to your blood cells. DNA damage can contribute to getting cancer, and the watercress has become a lifesaver. It also prevents cells from more damage by free radicals. It reduces blood triglyceride levels by 10%. Watercress destroys the cancerous cells, which is known as the process of apoptosis. Its iron and calcium will not only keep your body healthy but cancer free.